Rise of a King: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Path to the Throne

Welcome to Day 81 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Samuel. In 2 Samuel 1-3, the opening chapters of 2 Samuel depict a pivotal transition in Israel's history. Following Saul’s death, David mourns the fallen king and his son Jonathan, showcasing his deep loyalty despite their troubled past. As David is anointed king of Judah, a rivalry emerges between his house and that of Saul’s surviving son, Ish-bosheth, who is backed by Saul’s former commander, Abner. The nation is divided, leading to a power struggle filled with shifting alliances, betrayals, and bloodshed. Eventually, Abner defects to David, but his life is cut short by Joab’s vengeance. As David’s influence grows, the path is paved for him to become king over all Israel, setting the stage for a unified kingdom under God’s chosen ruler.

2 Samuel Chapter 1: After Saul and Jonathan’s deaths in battle, a messenger brings David the news, expecting a reward for claiming to have slain Saul. Instead, David executes the messenger for daring to strike the Lord’s anointed. Overcome with grief, David composes a heartfelt lament, honoring both Saul and Jonathan despite their past conflicts. His song reflects deep sorrow and respect, highlighting the tragedy of Israel’s fallen leaders. This moment showcases David’s humility and his ability to separate personal grievances from his reverence for God’s anointed. His response sets the tone for his future reign—one marked by honor, justice, and submission to God’s will.

2 Samuel Chapter 2: David seeks the Lord’s guidance and is anointed king over Judah in Hebron, while Saul’s general, Abner, installs Ish-bosheth as king over Israel. The kingdom is now divided, with Judah following David and the rest of Israel remaining under Saul’s lineage. A fierce battle breaks out between the two factions, led by Abner and David’s commander, Joab. The conflict results in bloodshed, including the death of Joab’s brother Asahel at Abner’s hand. Though the battle ends with David’s forces gaining the upper hand, the tension between the two houses remains, setting the stage for future power shifts.

2 Samuel Chapter 3: The war between David’s house and Saul’s house continues, but David’s strength increases while Ish-bosheth’s weak leadership causes instability. Abner, angered by Ish-bosheth’s accusations, defects to David, offering to unite Israel under his rule. David welcomes the alliance, seeing it as God’s fulfillment of his destiny. However, Joab, still seeking revenge for his brother Asahel’s death, deceitfully murders Abner, jeopardizing David’s efforts for unity. David publicly mourns Abner’s death, distancing himself from Joab’s actions and proving to Israel that he is a just and righteous leader. This chapter further solidifies David’s growing influence and paves the way for his ultimate kingship.

Rise of a King: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Path to the Throne

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 2 Samuel is the continuation of Israel’s history, primarily focusing on the reign of King David and the establishment of his kingdom. The name "Samuel" comes from the Hebrew (Shemu’el), meaning "God has heard" or "Name of God." Though Samuel himself dies in 1 Samuel 25, the book of 2 Samuel retains his name because it continues the narrative of Israel’s transition from judges to monarchy, a process that Samuel played a significant role in initiating.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of 2 Samuel is to document the rise and reign of David, Israel’s greatest king, showing how God establishes his covenant with David, securing his dynasty. The book highlights David’s victories, his failures (such as his sin with Bathsheba), and his deep repentance. It also demonstrates God’s justice and mercy while reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty in establishing Israel’s leadership.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The authorship of 2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to the prophet Nathan and the seer Gad, as suggested by 1 Chronicles 29:29, which states:

"As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer."

This passage indicates that multiple prophetic figures documented the history of David’s reign. Jewish tradition, as found in the Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b-15a), also supports this view, suggesting that Samuel wrote 1 Samuel until his death, while Nathan and Gad completed the history, which includes 2 Samuel.

Additionally, archaeological sources and ancient Jewish historical writings, such as those of Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews), acknowledge Nathan and Gad as contributors to David’s historical record. However, since 2 Samuel was likely compiled later using various prophetic sources, the final editor remains uncertain.

Key People:

David – The central figure of the book, Israel’s second king, who unifies the nation, establishes Jerusalem as the capital, and receives God’s covenant.
Joab – David’s military commander, known for his strategic brilliance but also for his ruthless actions, including the murder of Abner and Absalom.
Abner – Saul’s former general who initially supports Ish-bosheth but later defects to David before being assassinated by Joab.
Ish-bosheth – Saul’s son who is briefly king over Israel before being betrayed and killed.
Nathan – The prophet who delivers God’s covenant promise to David and later rebukes him for his sin with Bathsheba.
Bathsheba – The woman with whom David commits adultery, leading to immense consequences. She later becomes Solomon’s mother.
Uriah the Hittite – Bathsheba’s husband, who is unjustly killed in battle due to David’s scheme.
Absalom – David’s rebellious son who leads a coup against him but ultimately perishes.
Mephibosheth – Jonathan’s crippled son, whom David honors out of loyalty to his late friend.
Zadok and Abiathar – Priests who serve during David’s reign and play significant roles in maintaining religious order.

Conclusion

2 Samuel is a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness, the consequences of sin, and the fulfillment of His promises through David’s lineage, which ultimately leads to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 2 Samuel 1, God's character in this chapter is revealed through David’s deep sorrow and respect for Saul and Jonathan. Despite Saul’s pursuit of him, David does not rejoice in his enemy’s downfall but mourns with honor, demonstrating God’s heart of mercy, justice, and reverence for His anointed ones. This reflects God as compassionate and righteous, calling His people to act with integrity even in the face of adversity.

One of the Hebrew names of God reflected in this chapter is El Elohim (God, the Mighty One), as David acknowledges God's sovereignty over life and death. The lesson here is that God calls us to honor His will and timing, rather than taking matters into our own hands. David’s response to Saul’s death teaches humility, respect, and trust in God's plan, even when dealing with those who wrong us.

In 2 Samuel 2, God’s character is demonstrated through His divine guidance and faithfulness in establishing David as king. David seeks God’s direction before taking action, showing dependence on the Lord rather than relying on his own strength. This reflects God’s nature as a wise and sovereign ruler who leads His people in righteousness when they seek Him.

The Hebrew name of God found in this chapter is Yahweh Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness), as He establishes David’s reign in Judah and begins fulfilling His promise to Israel. The lesson here is that God’s timing and plan for leadership are perfect, and we must wait for His direction rather than rushing ahead. David’s patience and obedience demonstrate that blessings come when we align our steps with God’s will.

In 2 Samuel 3, God’s character is revealed in how He orchestrates events to bring about justice and fulfill His promises. Though human conflict and ambition cause turmoil, God remains in control, ensuring that His purposes prevail. David, though anointed, waits for God to establish his throne rather than seizing power forcefully.

The Hebrew name of God connected to this chapter is El Shaphat (God the Judge), as He works through circumstances to bring justice, even when people act deceitfully. The lesson here is that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will right wrongs in His perfect time. David’s restraint and trust in God’s justice serve as an example for believers to rely on God rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does David’s response to Saul’s death reflect God’s mercy and justice?
What does David’s willingness to seek God’s guidance before acting reveal about God’s wisdom and sovereignty?
How does God demonstrate His righteousness in establishing David’s kingdom?
In what ways do we see God as the ultimate judge in the events of 2 Samuel 3?
How does God’s faithfulness to His promises appear throughout these chapters?
What aspects of God’s character are shown in David’s patience and trust in God’s timing?
How does God’s justice differ from human attempts at power and revenge?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of honor and respect for God's anointed leaders play out in these chapters?
What role does seeking God’s guidance play in the transition of leadership from Saul to David?
How does the contrast between David’s humility and the ambition of others (such as Abner and Joab) highlight God’s way versus man’s way?
What lessons can we learn from the theme of waiting on God’s timing in leadership and life decisions?
How does the theme of justice versus vengeance unfold in these chapters?
What does the division between the tribes of Israel and Judah teach us about unity and God’s plan for His people?
How does the struggle for power in these chapters demonstrate the consequences of human ambition versus God's will?

Reflective Application Questions:

How do you respond when faced with the downfall of someone who has wronged you? Do you show mercy like David?
When making big decisions, do you seek God’s guidance first, as David did? How can you improve in this area?
Are there areas in your life where you need to trust in God’s timing instead of taking matters into your own hands?
In what ways do you struggle with seeking justice on your own rather than trusting God to handle situations?
How can you demonstrate patience and integrity in leadership roles, whether in your family, workplace, or church?
What steps can you take to ensure that your ambition aligns with God’s plan rather than your own desires?
How can you honor and respect those in authority, even when you disagree with them, in a way that reflects God’s character?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans